MARK Hughes reckons there's more to come from winger Damien Duff ahead of tomorrow's trip to former club Newcastle United.

The Irishman returns to St James' Park for the first time since leaving the North East for Craven Cottage last season as the Whites search for a rare win on the road.

Duff, who is back in the Fulham first-team following a month out with a calf injury, suffered the heartache of relegation with the Geordies in 2010, scoring the own goal which sealed their fate on the final day of the campaign at Aston Villa.

The 31-year-old also missed out on the World Cup with his country, but Fulham boss Hughes is convinced he will come back stronger.

“I do absolutely believe there is more to come and I'm sure he does use some of his recent disappointments to strive for more," Hughes said.

“When you get those disappointments, you have to use them to drive you on or you allow them to be an excuse and you wither away from the challenge.

“He's never done that. He's always stepped up and allowed himself to be counted and that will never change. It's part of his make-up.

“He's a big player here because of the experience that he's had. He's won trophies and he understands what it takes to win Premier League games. He's a good influence on the group and I'm really pleased that he's here because I can tap into that.

“You say things to him that he understands immediately and he'll try and implement them on the pitch."

The appreciative manager added: "I had the pleasure of working alongside Damien at Blackburn Rovers. He was a young boy with great talent and you knew he was going to be a top player and we reaped the benefits.

“He was always going to move on to bigger and better things and that's what he did. He's had a great career and there are still things that he can achieve."